After win against Samford, Cardinals face must win against N.C. State

After the first 0-3 start in over two decades the Louisville Cardinals finally got their first win against Samford in a 45-3 in a route. The game brought hope to UofL squad that bowl hopes were in danger, even though those dreams are still in danger with road trips against N.C State and Florida State. The biggest issue coming into the game was QB situation. For the 4th straight game head coach Bobby P played multiple quarterbacks. This time around Lamar Jackson may have kept the job for good.

”I think we’ve settled on Lamar,” Petrino said after the game. ”He’s real explosive. ”He can go the distance when he gets the chance.”

Jackson was 15 of 22 for 212 yards passing, including a 36-yard touchdown to James Quick. That went along with 18 rushes going for 184 yards and two touchdowns. The 184 yards are the most in school history by a quarterback. He earned ACC rookie of the year.

”Coach told me, ”No turnovers, don’t look for the big play,” Jackson said. ”Just go through your progressions. A lot of times I would try to go deep (in other games). I had to get back to fundamentals.”

Lamar Jackson – Photo Credit: Andre’ Chapman/A.S.

The defense was the strong point of the team and didn’t disappoint against Samford. Eubank and Devlin Hodges combined for 17 of 30 for 170 yards passing with three interceptions for Samford. The Cardinals extended their nation-leading streak to 17 games with an interception.

Now that Louisville has gotten the winless money off their back they turn their attentions to a N.C state team who gotten off to a hot start. The teams will meet for the second time as ACC members when they meet at Carter-Finley Stadium. This is the first trip the Cards are making to Raleigh since 2007. Louisville came home with a 29-10 win under then coach Steve Kragthorpe. Louisville defeated NC State 30-18 last season at home.

This N.C. State team thus far has played miles ahead of the 2014 version. NC State quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who will start this weekend versus the Cardinals, he threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns last season. In leading the Wolf pack to a 4-0 start, Brissett leads the nation by completing 77.9 percent of his throws.The Wolf pack has two running backs averaging 100 plus yards per game in Matt Dayes and Shadrach Thornton. The Wolf pack is averaging 259.0 yards on the ground in four games.

NCState Wolfpack

The Cardinals have their work cut out for them. They need a winning streak. The win could regain all the confidence back heading to a possible season defining game against the Seminoles of Florida State.